OTTAWA — Kee Ha has been re-elected by the members to serve another four-year term as President of Taekwondo Canada’s Board of Directors.
Grandmaster Ha has played a critical role in shaping a new era for the sport while working with the Board and staff and will now lead the organization with a focus on encouraging more Canadians to try the sport of taekwondo on the path to LA 2028.
“It is a tremendous honour to have the opportunity to return for another term with the goal of ensuring all Canadians know Taekwondo is an avenue for acquiring life skills that will serve them well beyond the field of play or Dojangs across the country,” said Ha. “It is a privilege now to be able to lead this sport that has given me so much by helping all participants achieve their personal goals.”
Looking to build on these successes, Ha will be supported by a new Secretary on the Board of Directors. Anthony Petrone was also elected to a four- year term during Taekwondo Canada’s Annual General Meeting, September 29.
Marrying his personal and professional passions, Petrone brings more than two decades of experience in Canada’s taekwondo community to this leadership position. A long-time volunteer, Petrone is currently the Executive Director and partner at Kenova where he is tasked with managing all operations, developing new business strategies, and recruiting top talent across a variety of sectors.
“I am deeply passionate for martial arts, but I also believe that I bring the business acumen and a commitment to ethical, values-based behaviour, that I believe is crucial for serving on a not-for-profit Board of Directors,” said Petrone. “I look forward to using my professional background in marketing and communications to contribute effectively to Taekwondo Canada’s outreach and engagement strategies in a continued effort to further grow the sport across the country.”
Taekwondo Canada will also welcome back Catherine Brewster for a second four-year term as Director at Large.
Wayne Mitchell (Vice-President); Sandra de Montigny (Treasurer); Jessica Scarlato (Director at Large); and
Miro Soucek (Director at Large) are all serving in their last of a two-year term to round out the seven-member Board of Directors.
“We have assembled new leadership to help guide us, have retained the knowledge of professionals in and outside of the sport on the Board, and have welcomed critical pieces to laying the foundation for a promising future,” added Ha. “We have a long road ahead of us to continue meeting our sport and business goals, but as a collective team, we will face our challenges and create innovative opportunities at all levels of the sport to reshape taekwondo in Canada.”
About Taekwondo Canada
Taekwondo Canada is the National Sport Governing Body for Taekwondo in Canada. We are recognized by World Taekwondo, Pan American Taekwondo Union, Sport Canada, Own the Podium, Canadian Olympic Committee, and the Canadian Paralympic Committee. Taekwondo Canada sends national teams to the Olympic Games, World Taekwondo Championships, Pan Am Taekwondo Championships, Pan Am Games, World Taekwondo Junior Championships, Poomsae World Championships, and Pan Am Poomsae Championships.